My clients often wonder how they can best prepare their newborn for a session with their Boston baby and child photographer. Depending on the child, a session can last from one to four hours, so it is important to make it as easy as possible on your little one. Following are a few tips to make sure that your session is smooth and that your child can be captured at their best.

I take the newborn portraits on location, meaning that I come to your home and set up an area for the session in the comfort of your own home. Be sure to have the house very warm, warm enough to be uncomfortable for adults. The warm air not only keeps your child cozy while having their baby photos taken, but it also allows them to be photographed in bare skin for their sleeping newborn photos.

Sleeping newborn portraits create wonderful memories of little ones who are growing by the day. Babies do have their awake periods as well, and in order to be ready for their baby photographer they must be comfortable. Please have your child well fed right before the session. A hungry baby is a cranky baby, after all, and feeding during the session takes time away from capturing those gorgeous newborn moments. If feeding is necessary during the session, a bottle of pre-expressed milk or formula, if possible, will allow us to get back to the baby photos as quickly as we can.

Wraps, hats, backdrops, and accessories are provided, so there is no worry about finding that “perfect” outfit or setting. Any family members who will be in the baby portraits should be simply dressed; solid tops or tank tops are a good option. If there are any accessories or items that are important to include in your newborn photography, please let me know so I can include them.

Sometimes parents don’t like to have their pictures taken in the days after a new birth, but this is a precious time for your family. Please consider having some pictures with you and your sleeping newborn. If there are other children in the family, I would be happy to take some photos of the baby and their siblings as well, if possible, depending on the children’s ages and cooperation.

With three children of my own, I promise that your family is in good hands. I will gently pose your precious child for their newborn portraits, guide you through the process, and work with your family in your home to produce beautiful images that you can cherish for a lifetime.